YouTube today announced the launch of a new syncing feature that allows an iOS or Android device to connect to a TV that has the YouTube app, allowing the connected device to be used for commenting, liking videos, and more.
According to YouTube, people were already using the mobile app to engage with YouTube videos watched on TV sets, and the company decided to take advantage of that to improve the YouTube experience on the TV.
When watching YouTube on TV, users can open up the mobile YouTube app and then tap on "Connect" to sync the device to the TV. Using the feature requires being logged in to the same YouTube account on both the TV and the device that it is connecting to.
After connecting, the YouTube video being watched on the TV can be interacted with on the device, offering access to comments, likes, video descriptions, sharing tools, and channel membership options like donations. This adds to already available functionality that previously let the mobile YouTube app be used for playing, pausing, rewinding, and fast forwarding on the TV.
Brynn Evans, YouTube on TV head of design, told The Verge that remotes offer a poor experience for interaction with content on the TV. "The remote's clunky, every remote's different, there's a million different buttons. They're all bad," she said.
The feature is rolling out starting today, and TVs or set-top boxes must be updated to the latest version of the YouTube app.
Google today announced the launch of a Google TV app that's designed for iOS devices, with the aim of helping iPhone and iPad owners to create watchlists, get content recommendations, rate movies, and more. iOS users previously had access to the Play Movies and TV app, and those who had that installed will see it update automatically to the revamped Google TV app.
iPhone and iPad users who have a Google TV or another Android TV OS device can use their iOS device as a remote control. Just click on the remote button in the app and then connect to the TV to control the TV with the phone and access Google Assistant. The feature allows users to take advantage of the phone's keyboard for typing in passwords and search terms.
With Google TV, users can input information on the streaming services they subscribe to and get recommendations for shows and movies to watch based on interests and past viewing habits. Shows can be saved to a Watchlist that is able to sync across devices signed into a Google account.
TV shows and movies can be liked or disliked, and using these features affects the recommendation algorithm. A Highlights tab provides a daily news feed of reviews, news, and more about TV shows and movies that will interest each user.
The app supports all movies and shows purchased or rented with a Google account, so the content can be watched on an iPhone or iPad while on the go.
WWDC will be an online affair again this year, with the exception of some lucky developers invited to Apple Park, but there will still be opportunities for developers to connect with each other during Apple's weeklong developers conference.
Apple today shared a new "Beyond WWDC" page listing community-led events that will be hosted during or after WWDC, which runs from June 6 through June 10.
For example, the page highlights WWDC Community Week, a community-run event that helps developers to connect with fellow developers at watch parties, mentorship labs, community talks, a hackathon, and more. Other events include Office Hours, the Underdog Devs WWDC22 Watch Party, #iOSDevHappyHour IRL, try! Swift DUB DUB, DubDub Series, WWDC.playground, Extended Tokyo 2022, Devpass WWDC22 Special, and more.
In addition, the WWDC 2022 hashflag has also gone live on Twitter for the #WWDC22 hashtag. A hashflag is a small icon that appears next to hashtags in tweets, with the WWDC 2022 hashflag consisting of Apple's Swift icon in a circle outlined with rainbow colors.
The AirPods Pro 2 may feature largely the same design as the current model, contrary to rumors of a "stemless" design, according to new findings based on purported leaked images shared by MacRumors last year.
Last year, MacRumors shared images that allegedly reveal the second-generation AirPods Pro – seemingly showing a design with very few changes. Now, new to-scale 3D comparisons based on MacRumors' images by Apple concept graphic designer Ian Zelbo provide further evidence that the second-generation AirPods Pro will not have a so-called "stemless" design.
It is apparent from last year's images that the alleged second-generation AirPods Pro earbuds do not feature downward-facing IR sensors to detect when they are in a user's ears, but the latest 3D comparisons seen by MacRumors actively suggest that the new AirPods Pro will feature skin-detect sensors.
Alleged second-generation AirPods Pro
Apple's skin-detect sensors debuted in the third-generation AirPods, providing a more accurate way to discern if the earbuds are actually in a user's ears as opposed to in a pocket or on a table. The sensors work by detecting water content in the wearer's skin, which ensures that it does not mistake other surfaces for flesh.
Instead of skin-detect sensors in each earbud, the current AirPods Pro use dual optical sensors to detect if they are in a user's ear. While they effectively perform the same function, the optical sensors can simply tell when they are against a surface or covered up, rather than specifically against skin. This means that if you put an AirPods Pro earbud in a pocket or on a surface, it may erroneously resume playback. This is why Apple switched to skin-detect sensors for greater accuracy, with the added benefit of only needing a single, slightly larger central sensor per earbud.
Third-generation AirPods with skin-detect sensors
Zelbo's scaled comparisons confirm that the alleged second-generation AirPods Pro images show skin-detect sensors that are the exact same size and orientation as on the third-generation AirPods. On the current-generation AirPods Pro, the main IR sensor is part of a long, thin black oblong that also contains a grille of the same shape. The new skin-detect sensor cutout believed to be present on the second-generation AirPods Pro, like the third-generation AirPods, features a shorter, noticeably thicker oblong with a circular grille.
This small but crucial detail may suggest that the images are more credible than previously thought – making it more likely that the second-generation AirPods Pro will feature no major redesign. In fact, Zelbo's findings suggest that the new earbud's design is identical to the current-generation AirPods Pro beyond the skin-detect sensor cutout, with no changes to the length of the stem or the shape of the earbud's in-ear portion.
First-generation AirPods Pro with IR sensors
Rumors have rallied around the idea of the second-generation AirPods Pro switching to a "stemless" design, but upon closer inspection, reputable sources have not explicitly stated that this is set to occur. For example, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the second-generation AirPods Pro will feature a "new form factor design," presumably due to knowledge of some kind of retooling, but has not specifically said that they will feature a stemless design.
In October 2020, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was aiming to make the second-generation AirPods Pro earbuds more compact by eliminating the short stem that currently extends from the bottom, and was reportedly testing a design with "a more rounded shape that fills more of a user's a ear," making them closer in style to Samsung's Galaxy Buds and designs from the likes of Amazon and Google. Yet Gurman said that Apple was facing problems integrating the AirPods Pro's hardware, including antennas and microphones, into a much smaller casing, which "could result in a less ambitious design when the product is finalized."
Alleged second-generation AirPods Pro charging case rear
Kuo has also seemingly supported other aspects depicted in MacRumors' second-generation AirPods Pro images, potentially increasing their credibility. Earlier this year, Kuo explained that the second-generation AirPods Pro will feature a charging case that users can trigger a sound from to highlight its location, allowing the earbuds and the case to be located separately. This directly lines up with the speaker holes visible on the charging case seen in MacRumors' images. It seems likely that this sound-emitting charging case will integrate into the Find My app, similar to how users can currently emit a sound from their individual AirPods inside the case to help locate them.
It is therefore by no means certain based on information from Kuo, Gurman, and MacRumors that the second-generation AirPods Pro will feature a stemless design. Indeed, there is now seemingly mounting evidence to the contrary.
Apple's Beats Studio Buds, which share a large amount of technology with the AirPods Pro, have a wholly in-ear design and do not feature "stems" at all. The fact that the Beats Studio Buds offer a "stemless" design does not necessarily indicate that the AirPods Pro will follow; Apple often seeks to find ways to differentiate its Beats and AirPods product lines. Apple has also established a distinctive and easily identifiable visual brand for AirPods with the "stem" design and use of white plastic, and it is questionable if the company is ready to deviate from that yet, not to mention the impact of removing the stem on the implementation of force sensor controls and beam-forming microphones.
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There are a variety of power banks on sale at Mophie, including the Snap+ Juice Pack Mini, which is compatible with iPhone 12 and 13 MagSafe and is down to $29.97, from $49.95. There are regular portable batteries as well, including the Powerstation XXL ($35.97), Powerstation Ultra ($47.97), and more.
There are plenty of other accessories on sale during this event, including car mounts, Apple Watch chargers, iPhone battery cases, screen protectors, and audio equipment. You can head to ZAGG's website to browse the full sale across all of its brands before the sale ends later tonight. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
As Apple prepares for a rumored launch of its completely redesigned MacBook Air, Microsoft is preparing for competition by beefing up its own entry-level Surface Laptop Go with a new processor, updated thermals, and an improved webcam.
The Surface Laptop Go, launched in 2020, has served as the entry-level Surface laptop in Microsoft's lineup. The laptop, which previously started at $549 (now $599), features a 12.4-inch touchscreen display, a full-sized keyboard, and trackpad, and runs Windows 11.
Microsoft today announced the Surface Laptop Go 2 with Intel's new 11th generation Core i5 processor and a new base storage of 128GB, up from the prior 64GB. In its press release, Microsoft directly draws a comparison between the Surface Laptop Go 2 and Apple's MacBook Air by saying the Surface offers "30% more key travel than a MacBook Air.”
Powered by Intel's 11th generation i5 processor, Microsoft has improved the thermals inside the Surface Laptop Go 2 to be “quieter” and make it easier for users to focus. Microsoft also says that it's updated the webcam, however, as The Verge notes, the webcam is still stuck at 720p, so the improvements are likely in image processing. Apple's current MacBook Air similarly features a 720p webcam, while the MacBook Pro has been updated to 1080p.
Now starting at $599, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is considerably cheaper than Apple's MacBook Air which starts at $999. For the added $399, however, users benefit from the performance and energy efficiency of Apple silicon and a base storage of 256GB.
The latest MacBook Air was released in November 2020 with the M1 chip, but a new, completely redesigned model could be announced as soon as next week. The new model will benefit from a new or existing Apple silicon chip, alongside an entirely redesigned body that comes in several colors.
Apple's next-generation A16 chip will be exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.
In a report focused on global smartphone production, TrendForce briefly mentioned that Apple plans to launch four new iPhone 14 models in the second half of 2022, but said that only the Pro models will be equipped with Apple's latest processor.
The report lines up with information shared by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in March claimed that only the iPhone 14 Pro models will feature an A16 chip, with the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max models to remain equipped with an A15 chip. In an April edition of his newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman agreed that standard iPhone 14 models are "likely to stick to the A15 from last year or a variant of it."
Gurman said that "beyond trying to make the Pro stand out," ongoing chip shortages may have contributed to Apple's decision to limit its upcoming chip to the iPhone 14 Pro models. This would differ from Apple's current strategy of equipping all flagship iPhones with the same chip. For example, the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max are all equipped with the same A15 chip.
Apple is expected to announce its iPhone 14 lineup at its usual September event, barring any significant supply chain disruptions.
Twitter today announced that it will be shutting down TweetDeck for Mac next month to focus on the web-based version of TweetDeck.
"Beginning July 1, the TweetDeck for Mac application will be removed," reads a banner at the top of TweetDeck for Mac. Twitter said users can continue to access TweetDeck on the web at TweetDeck.com. The banner may not appear until restarting the app, and there does not seem to be a way to dismiss the banner at this time.
In a tweet, Twitter said it is "saying goodbye to TweetDeck for the Mac app to focus on making TweetDeck even better and testing our new Preview," which refers to the redesigned version of TweetDeck being tested on an invite-only basis.
We're saying goodbye to TweetDeck for the Mac app to focus on making TweetDeck even better and testing our new Preview. July 1 is the last day it'll be available.
You can still use TweetDeck on web and more invites to try the Preview will be rolling out over the next few months!
— TweetDeck (@TweetDeck) June 1, 2022
TweetDeck, acquired by Twitter in 2011, is a popular Twitter client that lets users view several side-by-side columns of tweets at once. The app has been distributed through the Mac App Store, but it will no longer be available starting in July.
As noted by 9to5Mac, one solution is to download the Unite app, which allows you to turn websites into native apps on the Mac.
We're partnering up with Flexibits this month to offer our readers 75 percent off their first year of Flexibits Premium, which includes access to Fantastical and Cardhop. This offer is for new customers only and will run through June 22 on the Flexibits website. The subscription supports apps across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.
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You can get the deal by following this link to Flexibits' website, and clicking on the header to redeem 75 percent off your next purchase. You'll need to create a Flexibits account and begin a 14 day free trial of Flexibits Premium, either for an Individual or Family Plan, and the 75 percent off sale will be applied to either option.
Individual Plans billed yearly are priced at $9.96 (originally $39.96), or you can opt for the monthly option at $1.25 per month (originally $4.99). Family plans billed yearly are priced at $16.20 (originally $65.04), and $2.00 when billed monthly (originally $7.99).
This sale is for 75 percent off your next purchase on Flexibits, so whatever option you choose will be the only time you can get this deal. Given these parameters, buying for a full year will save you more money. After the year is over, Flexibits Premium will return to its regular price, or you can cancel.
Fantastical is a calendar app that can sync across apps for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Similarly, Cardhop can sync across Apple devices and provides a more in-depth contact management platform.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
With the chances of Apple revealing its mixed reality headset at WWDC 2022 looking decidedly less likely as its developer conference creeps nearer, rumors of Apple's new-look MacBook Air have once again come to the fore. Here's everything we expect to see if Apple chooses to announce a new version of its slimmest notebook next week.
The design of the current MacBook Air has been synonymous with the company's thinnest notebook since October 2010. The existing tapered design goes from thicker at the back to thinner at the front.
Tapered design of current MacBook Air
By contrast, the new MacBook Air is expected to look much more like a slimmed-down version of the MacBook Pro, with rounded edges on the bottom and squared-off edges on the top. Rumors have also suggested the new MacBook Air is thinner and lighter, with slimmer borders around the display than the current model.
White Bezels and Keyboard
The MacBook Air is rumored to be modeled after the 24-inch iMac, with off-white bezels around the display and a matching off-white keyboard. Given that Apple adopted full-size function keys on its latest MacBook Pro models, Apple may well bring this look to the MacBook Air as well.
Apple also adopted an all-black well for the MacBook Pro's keyboard, so an all-white variation for the MacBook Air is expected.
Notch
Last year's MacBook Pro surprised us all with a notch for the camera, and all the rumors suggest the MacBook Air will have the same notch, but this time in white, in order to match the bezels and keyboard.
Most MacBook Pro owners will tell you the notch isn't an issue as its ingression into the menu bar allows for more screen real estate below, and it effectively disappears from view when in fullscreen mode, which turns the menu bar black. However, the new MacBook Air is likely to stoke another round of "notch controversy," with the divisive factor this time being its color rather than its mere existence.
Multiple Colors
Continuing with the iMac theme, the new MacBook Air is expected to be made available in several color options. The colors could be similar to the 24-inch iMac, which comes in blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, and purple. (There is also unfettered speculation online that Apple's WWDC artwork hints at several new MacBook Air colors.)
Apple has a history of using bright colors for its non Pro machines (the iBook G3, for example) and different color options would clearly distinguish the MacBook Air from its Pro sibling.
Young told MacRumors that the 2022 MacBook Air will not feature a mini-LED display or ProMotion technology. This runs counter to claims from DigiTimes that the this year's MacBook Air will get a mini-LED display, but Young maintains that it will use an LCD display to maintain a lower price point compared to the high-end MacBook Pros.
M1 or M2 Processor
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said earlier this year that the 2022 MacBook Air would retain the M1 chip rather than feature the M2 processor. Meanwhile, ShrimpApplePro has claimed that Apple is working on the "final SoC of M1 series," featuring updated cores, so it's possible that this relates to a new version of the entry-level M1.
Releasing a MacBook Air with a mid-generation iteration of the standard M1 chip could help Apple buy time before releasing Macs with the M2 chip next year, when TSMC's more advanced N3 fabrication process becomes available.
Apple could well call the chip in the new MacBook Air the "M2" to boost sales, but it may opt to save the "M2" name for a much more substantial upgrade over the previous generation in 2023 to further enhance Apple silicon's brand image.
1080p Webcam
As part of their redesign, the latest MacBook Pro models got a 1080p webcam for the first time. With the 27-inch iMac, 24-inch iMac, and the high-end MacBook Pro now featuring a 1080p webcam, the likelihood is that the MacBook Air will also benefit from one.
MagSafe and 2x Thunderbolt/USB4
For the redesigned MacBook Pro models, Apple brought back its much-loved MagSafe charging connector. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has claimed MagSafe is also coming to the MacBook Air.
Other connectivity options will be more modest, however. Gurman clams MagSafe will feature in addition to a pair of Thunderbolt/USB4 ports for connecting external devices.
MacBook Air Debut at WWDC?
A new MacBook Air announcement at WWDC certainly isn't a certainty. Apple could well decide to hold back the notebook in favor of a release later in the year when the ongoing supply chain issues are less impactful on its business.
Of the regular M1 Macs, the MacBook Air is the only line showing any shipping delay (besides one iMac configuration) pic.twitter.com/euqzxG78IL
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 31, 2022
That said, Apple's existing MacBook Air models are the only M1 Macs on its online store that are currently experiencing shipping delays, which could always be a hint that Apple is preparing to launch a new model.
Apple is shifting some iPad production from China to Vietnam for the first time, Nikkei Asia reports.
Currently, the overwhelming majority of the iPad's supply chain is concentrated in China. Apple has been reported to be interested in moving at least some iPad production to Vietnam since January 2021, but supply chain issues over the past year are said to have delayed the move. Now, the supply chain disruption caused by lockdown measures in China is reported to have hastened Apple's desire to move some production out of the country.
China's BYD, one of the leading iPad assemblers, has purportedly assisted Apple in setting up new iPad production lines in Vietnam. The iPad will become Apple's second major product line to be manufactured in Vietnam, following AirPods.
Apple has also reportedly asked many of its suppliers to build up component inventories for all of its devices to guard against any future shortages. The company is said to have moved quickly to secure supplies of chips, particularly with regards to power management, for upcoming iPhone models. Apple is even believed to have shouldered some logistical and transportation costs for suppliers to ensure that materials needed for production arrive on time.
According to the report, Apple hopes that its suppliers are able to manufacture enough additional components in the coming months to fully offset the setbacks in China, but suppliers are said to be hesitant about slowing demand that could leave them with large stocks of unused components. Nevertheless, analysts believe that the impact of supply chain disruption on major clients like Apple remains "controllable," with automakers and smaller Android and PC brands being hit harder.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
The 33rd annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to begin with a keynote next Monday, and the event is now featured on Apple's dedicated Events website. As with many Apple events, if you visit the page on an iPhone or iPad, you can see an interactive augmented reality easter egg.
For WWDC 2022, Apple has created a package of trading cards that you can view in augmented reality. Once placed on a surface using the AR interface, you can tap the pack of cards to open it up and see an array of colorful Memoji faces.
Tapping on one of the available cards flips it around so you can see the Memoji character in more detail, and if you swipe it, you can go back to the cards to view the other options. Each time you open the card pack, you will get three separate cards, and there are at least nine card options. This is one of the more detailed interactive AR experiences that Apple has designed for one of its events, as many have only featured creative Apple logos.
To see the AR easter egg, open up the Events website and tap on the Memojis. From there, you can scan the area around you to see the card pack in action, or you can view it in "Object" mode to get a clearer picture of what it looks like without having to navigate your physical environment.
WWDC 2022 will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, June 6. In addition to being streamed on YouTube, the event can be watched through the events webpage and in the Apple TV app. If you're unable to watch, you can tune in to the MacRumors live blog on the site or follow along with our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
The event will see the introduction of new software, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, macOS 13, and tvOS 16, plus there is a possibility that we could see new hardware like the MacBook Air.
Apple is planning to add the first-generation iPad Pro to its vintage products list at the end of June, the company announced this week in an internal memo distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers.
A product becomes "vintage" after more than five years have passed since Apple last distributed the product for sale. Vintage products were previously ineligible for service at Apple, but Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers now offer repairs for vintage products for up to an additional two years, subject to parts availability.
Released in November 2015, the original iPad Pro featured a 12.9-inch display that was significantly larger than the 9.7-inch display on all prior iPad models. Alongside the device, Apple introduced the Smart Keyboard for iPad and the Apple Pencil, which made the iPad Pro more of a direct competitor with hybrid tablets like Microsoft's Surface. The Smart Keyboard magnetically attached to the iPad Pro's new Smart Connector.
The original iPad Pro also featured Apple's A9X chip, an 8-megapixel rear camera, a Home button with Touch ID, and four speakers. In the United States, pricing started at $799 for a Wi-Fi-only model with 32GB of storage, with LTE models also offered.
In addition, 32GB models of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus will also be classified as vintage at the end of June, the memo says.
Apple TV HD?
Oddly, multiple sources advised MacRumors that Apple's memo says the "Apple TV HD" will also be classified as vintage at the end of June, despite Apple continuing to sell the device with 32GB of storage.
Even if the Apple TV HD were to be discontinued at Apple's upcoming WWDC conference, it would be far too soon for the device to be classified as "vintage" per Apple's current definition, as it would be nowhere near five years since distribution ended.
The Apple TV HD was first released in October 2015 as the fourth-generation Apple TV and was rebranded after the Apple TV 4K launched in September 2017. Alongside the Apple TV 4K, the Apple TV HD also started to be bundled with a slightly modified Siri Remote with a white circle around the "Menu" button, but it has still not been over five years since that change happened, so that does not appear to be a plausible explanation either.
One possible explanation is that "Apple TV HD" is a typo and Apple actually meant to refer to the "Rev A" edition of the third-generation Apple TV, which was discontinued in October 2016 but remained available for some time after that as backorders were fulfilled, meaning that the device may just now be reaching five years after last being distributed.
Apple's memo says the iPhone 4S will be classified as "obsolete" at the end of June. Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than seven years ago, and are no longer eligible for hardware service except in a few regions.
Apple announced the iPhone 4S in October 2011 as the first device with Siri. The device featured a similar design as the iPhone 4, with features including a 3.5-inch display, an A5 chip, a 30-pin Dock Connector, and an 8-megapixel rear camera.
Apple is continuing to prepare for the Worldwide Developers Conference that is set to begin on Monday, and the company today launched its YouTube live stream where viewers can sign up to get a reminder when the event begins. The keynote event is set to take place on Monday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
WWDC 2022 will see the unveiling of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9, plus there is a chance we could see hardware, including a new MacBook Air.
MacRumors will have full coverage of next week's keynote both on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Ahead of the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple has shared details on the Apple Design Awards finalists. The Apple Design Awards highlight apps with outstanding design, innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement.
Nominees have been announced in selected categories that include Inclusivity, Delight and Fun, Interaction, Social Impact, Visuals and Graphics, and Innovation, with a full list of nominated apps available below.
Inclusivity
Letter Rooms
Navi
Noted.
Procreate
tint.
Wylde Flowers
Delight and Fun
Chineasy
Moncage
(Not Boring) Habits
Overboard!
Please, Touch the Artwork
Water Llama
Interaction
A Musical Story
Gibbon: Beyond the Trees
Slopes
Transit
Vectornator: Vector Design
What Remains of Edith Finch
Social Impact
Active Arcade
Empathy
Gibbon: Beyond the Trees
Headspace
Rebel Girls
Wylde Flowers
Visuals and Graphics
Alien: Isolation
Behind the Frame
Halide Mark II
LEGO Star Wars: Castaways
MD Clock
(Not Boring) Habits
Innovation
Active Arcade
Focus Noodles
Marvel Future Revolution
Odio
Procreate
Townscaper
Apple plans to announce the 2022 Apple Design Awards at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, June 6, just hours after the keynote event. The awards show will be streamed in the Apple Developer app and on the Apple Developer website. Winners will receive a physical award and hardware to help them continue to create apps and games.
Ahead of WWDC 2022 next week, Apple has opened registration for Digital Lounges, which are designed to allow developers to connect directly with Apple engineers and designers for guidance. Apple Developer Program members and 2022 Swift Student Challenge winners can register for Digital Lounges on the WWDC website or in the Apple Developer app.
Digital Lounges will begin on June 7, the second day of WWDC 2022. The lounges will provide an opportunity for developers to engage in technical discussions, get answers to their questions, chat with others in the community, and more.
As was the case last year, the Digital Lounges will be hosted in messaging app Slack, with registered developers able to participate free of charge.
WWDC 2022 runs from Monday, June 6 through Friday, June 10. Apple's annual developers conference will be an online affair (beyond some lucky developers invited to Apple Park), with content to be made available through the Apple Developer website and Apple Developer app. During the opening keynote, Apple is expected to unveil its latest software, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16.
Apple accessory company Nomad today announced the launch of its latest product, the Leather Cover for Siri Remote. Nomad designed the Leather Cover to accommodate an AirTag, adding Find My tracking capabilities to the Siri Remote.
Priced at $40, the Leather Cover is made from dark brown Horween leather and it fits snugly around the remote. At the back, there is a little pocket where an AirTag can be tucked inside, and then a flap hides it away for a more streamlined look.
There were rumors that the latest Apple TV Remote might feature Find My integration, but when the device launched, there was no sign of the tracking feature. Instead, it works like every other Apple TV remote and has no special feature for locating it should it become lost.
With the addition of an AirTag, the Apple TV Remote can be located in the Find My app right alongside your other devices. The Leather Cover for Siri Remote can be purchased today from the Nomad website.
Apple is preparing to begin supporting digital car keys in the Wallet app for two new car brands: Hyundai and BYD. The feature allows users to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles using a pass stored in the Wallet on the iPhone or Apple Watch, and Ultra Wideband with Express Mode in iOS 15 can even automatically lock and unlock a compatible car as you approach without needing to wake your device.
BMW was the first manufacturer to launch digital car keys in Wallet back in 2020, and two months ago Apple began listing several Genesis and Kia models as supporting the functionality. Over the last several days, Apple has added entries for both Hyundai and BYD to its Apple Pay configuration file. A similar change last September revealed the pending addition of Genesis support.
The inclusion of Hyundai on the list of car brands supporting digital car keys on iOS isn't much of a surprise, considering that Genesis and Kia were among the earliest adopters. Genesis is a luxury brand of Hyundai, while Hyundai is the largest stakeholder in Kia and the two companies are closely interrelated. Bloomberg also reported in January that both Hyundai and Genesis models would be adding the feature "by the summer."
BYD is a Chinese brand that has been trying to expand into other countries and recently announced that it will be moving to exclusively sell full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
We've yet to hear which specific models from the two brands will support digital car keys on iPhone and Apple Watch, but a number of Hyundai models have supported digital car keys on Android for several model years.
Alleged second-generation AirPods Pro
Third-generation AirPods with skin-detect sensors
First-generation AirPods Pro with IR sensors
Alleged second-generation AirPods Pro charging case rear
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